WW2 Japanese Arisaka Type 99 Rifle………SOLD

An Excellent Arisaka Type 99 Service Rifle

Standard Mauser Type Bolt action Rifle, with internal 5 shot magazine.  Serial number 71075.  Chambered in 7.7mm  with a  25″ long round blued barrel.  The rifle is 44″ in length from muzzle to steel butt pad.  Once the bayonet is fixed the weapon extends to 59″.

The Imperial Crysanthemum  has been “ground” as is common with most type 99’s.  Below that is are the three Japanese characters indicating  “Type 99”.

The side of the action is marked with 31st series marking, followed by the serial number, this puts production between January or February 1942.   The first marking after the serial number is for the  Toyo Kogyo Company they were a sub-contractor to Kokura Arsenal.  The last marking is the inspection stamp which stands for “HIRO” ( which indicates it was made in Hiroshima ).   The Toyo Kogyo Company survives today as the Mazda Corporation.

The rifles bolt has a notched decorated type safety at the rear of the bolt.  The decoration aids in the use of the device by adding purchase.  In the cocked position the notch rests at ‘ten-o’clock’, to apply the safety and lock the bolt one applies pressure to the decorated bolt knob and turns to ’12’ o’clock in a clock-wise movement. To release the safety the reverse is applied.  It is easy with practice and does not need the use of cold or numb fingers but, rather, pressure from the open palm of the hand.  The bolt stem is numbered to the gun underneath with the last three digits of the serial number.

The stock is constructed from matching pale colored hard-wood which shows all the dents and dings of military service but still maintains a good deal of its original varnish. There is a full length hand-guard on top of the barrel and the butt stock is made of two pieces of matching timber.  There is a blued steel cupped butt-plate.  The fore-end has finger groves either side.  This Type 99 rifle has retained nearly all its blue, the main losses are on the dust cover,  the trigger guard and magazine cover, which are all turning to a pleasing  grey/brown with a plumb tint of rust creeping in.  There is a magazine floor catch within the trigger guard which will release the plate to dump the rounds if needed.

To release the full length cleaning rod the user depresses a square button under the fore-end and the rod can be withdrawn from the stock;

As far as these rifles are concerned this weapon is in fine condition.  It has a good bright chrome bore with no pitting or frosting.  The rifling is complete if not a little soft on the leading edges.  The action is fully functional.  British proofs have been applied.

This Type 99 rifle is as complete an example as I have yet encountered.  It comes with;

• The dust cover.  A steel pressed part which slides in on two rails in the action and prevents debris degrading the smooth working of the bolt in the action.  It is just under 6″ in overall length.  These were often discarded by the troops as they found with experience they would easily give away the soldiers position by clanking away noisily during use.

• Anti-aircraft sights.  An ingenious Japanese idea to give the soldier a chance of gauging lead as an aircraft attacked.  Also incorporating an aperture battle sight, when the sights are laid down and an additional aperture for distance, graduated to 1500 meters.

 

• Mono-pod.  For steadying the aim, attached to the middle band.  For, as rickety as it look,s it actually works quite well.  It is is formed from small gauge steel rod and spring / clips away when stored.  The picture below illustrates the balance of the rifle with the mono-pod deployed.  Often these are often removed from surviving examples as the troops also discarded these as they could get tangled with foliage; and dragging half the jungle with you as you creep up on you enemy can be a bit of a give away.

• Original wide leather sling mounted on the same band as the mono-pod.  In the photo below one can see the sights, the grasping grooves,  the forward mount for the sling and the dust cover with bolt in the closed position.

• Bayonet and cleaning Rod.  The cleaning rod can stay in position when the bayonet is fitted.

• Also included is the slightly distorted muzzle cover, which was an attempt to stop the ingress of water into the barrel.  It is made from an early plastic and fits easily around the front sights.

• The Bayonet:  In excellent condition with its leather frog and steel scabbard.  20.1/4″ in overall length.  The blued Sword pointed blade  is 15.1/2″ in length and 15/16″ wide, with a single fuller and single true edge.  It has the famous hooked Quillion used to break the opponents blade in combat.  It has wooden grip and steel pommel with locking bolt.  The blade’s Ricasso is clearly marked with two stampings, the first, the entwined circles is the Tokyo/ Kokura arsenal and the second is the mark for the  Toyoda Loom Company which changed its name eventually to the Toyota Company.  The top of the pommel is numbered to a different rifle.

The leather frog is in good condition with no breakages and fine stitching.  The strap which secures the frog to the scabbard is also still intact.

 These are difficult rifles to find in good condition and this one might well be regarded as being in excellent condition.  It is a rare piece to find as complete as this one and would sit well in a Military rifle collection as well as be a pleasure to take out on the range.   This is an opportunity to buy and own a rare piece of history, from a location which eventually became obliterated by the might of the country it dared to challenge.  These items don’t come along  very often.

Stock number;  f 321

£ 1250.00 ….SOLD

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